Lodi Locals
Good morning, Lodi. Fun fact for your coffee today, Lodi was once known as the Watermelon Capital of the Country, and in 1886 the region shipped 3,000 carloads of watermelons before grapes fully took over the story here.
Here is what we have going on this week.
American Fare at Wine and Roses with ten chefs, ten Lodi winemakers, and an artisan market
Chanticleer for one Saturday night at Hutchins Street Square
Children's Celebration Day downtown for the whole family
Comedy at the Square Friday night, plus a new oil painting class kicking off in May
Let's get into it.
Kylie Talamantez
Events This Week
First Annual American Fare: Made in Lodi | Saturday, May 2nd | 11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Okay, this one is a BIG deal and I genuinely cannot stop thinking about it.
American Fare is a walk-around culinary celebration happening right here in Lodi at the Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, and the lineup they put together reads like a dream. Ten market-style tasting booths, each one pairing a chef, a local grower, and a Lodi winemaker into one beautiful seasonal bite-and-sip moment. That is the kind of event Lodi deserves.
The chefs alone are worth showing up for. We are talking Chef Charlie Palmer of Appellation Hotels, Chef Robert Ito from Americana House, Matt Masera of Miller & Lux, Srijith Gopinathan from The Oxford Kitchen and Gastropub, Arriel Oneal from The Exchange 1874, Nassim Bounoua of Folia Bar and Kitchen, Lacey Franklin from Oak Farm Vineyards, Jacob des Voignes of Heleje Wine Co, Sunny and Tim Chong from Komachi Sushi, and Chef Lance Ramhurst from Mohi Farm.
Ten chefs. Each one bringing something different to the table, literally.
Pair that with some of Lodi’s most beloved winemakers showing up to pour including Michael David Winery, Lange Twins, Acquiesce, Harney Lane, Peltier, St. Jorge, Markus Wine Co, and more, and you have an afternoon that is almost too good to be real.
And it does not stop there. Wandering the grounds you will also find a build-your-own bloom bar, a Maison Lodi boulangerie stand, a garden bar pouring cocktails made with local ingredients, and an artisan market with ceramics, textiles, olive oil, honey, fine art, and photography from Lodi area makers.
If you want to go full VIP mode, there is a four-course lunch at Americana House from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm hosted by Chef Charlie Palmer alongside Chef Robert Ito and head baker Anne Rosete. That one is ticketed separately and sounds absolutely incredible.
Tickets are available here.
📍 Appellation Lodi — Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, 2505 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95242
Chanticleer | Saturday, May 2 | 7:00 pm
If you have never seen Chanticleer perform live, this is the one to fix that. The San Francisco based all male vocal ensemble has been called an orchestra of voices for a reason. Twelve singers covering the full range from soprano to bass, no instruments, no backing tracks, just voices doing things that should not be possible in a room. They first came to Lodi way back in 1986, before they had even won their first Grammy. Now they are coming back as part of their Spring Tour, and the LCCA has been holding it down to make sure this kind of concert stays in reach for people here.
This year's program, "Our American Journey," moves through the full arc of American musical heritage, from Black gospel quartets and shape note singing to bluegrass, barbershop, and vocal jazz. It is a lot of ground to cover and Chanticleer covers it in a way that feels like a enticing story rather than a history lesson. The Charlene Powers Lange Theatre is one of the better acoustic rooms in the region, which makes a show like this land differently than it would in a generic venue.
Tickets are through the Lodi Community Concert Association. Grab them early.
📍 Hutchins Street Square — 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi, CA 95240
Comedy at the Square | Friday, May 8 | Doors 7:00 pm, Show 8:00 pm
Marc Maple Comedy and Lodi Parks, Rec and Cultural Services are back at it for another night at the Square, and this one has a strong headliner. Ngaio Bealum is a Sacramento based comedian with appearances on ABC, BET, Comedy Central, and Netflix. He has opened for Dave Chappelle and has been working stages from the Bay to Berlin for over two decades. The kind of resume that makes a $20 ticket feel like a very easy yes. Cookie Williams and George Brett Olson are also on the bill, with Ryan Holloway hosting the night. Three comics, one room, first come first served seating, and a crowd that is already loosened up by the time the headliner hits. Mature audiences only, 21 and over with a photo ID. Get there closer to 7 if you want a decent seat because these shows fill up.
Tickets are available here.
📍 Kirst Hall, Hutchins Street Square, 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi, CA 95240
🎉Submit an Event!
Got an event you think the community should know about? We're now accepting submissions from our readers, so if you're hosting something public in Lodi or know about an event that deserves a spotlight, send it our way. We're excited to start featuring your events alongside everything else happening around town.
🏡 Family & Kids Corner
Girl Scout Registration | Thursday, May 14th | 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Join girl scouts!
If your daughter has been wanting to try something new, this is a really easy place to start. Girl Scouts is hosting an interest meeting at Woodbridge School for girls in TK through 12th grade, and it sounds like a sweet, low pressure way to see what the program is all about. Girls will get to play games, meet new friends, and learn more about everything Girl Scouts can open the door to, from outdoor adventures to confidence building and life skills.
Whether your family is brand new to scouting or just curious if it is the right fit, this is a good chance to check it out without a big commitment. Go see what it is about and whether it feels like your girls kind of thing.
Learn more here.
📍 Woodbridge School | 1290 Lilac Street, Lodi, CA
Children’s Celebration Day | Saturday, May 2nd | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday? Pack up the whole family and head over to Lodi's Children's Day Celebration on May 2nd! The Lodi Family Resource Center and Lodi Public Library are throwing a free event filled with folkloric dance performances, free haircuts, raffle prizes, giveaways, readings with the Mayor and Chief of Police, and tons of activities for kids of all ages. It's the kind of afternoon where the kids are entertained, the parents are smiling, and everyone leaves feeling good about this community we call home. Did we mention it's completely free? Yeah, you really don't want to miss this one.
📍100 E. Pine St. Lodi, CA 95240
Chess Club | Monday, April 27th | 2:30 - 5:00 pm
If you want a smart, low pressure way to spend a Monday afternoon, Chess at the Library is such a solid move. The Lodi Public Library hosts this free weekly chess program every Monday, and it is open to all ages and all skill levels, so whether your kid is just learning the pieces or already plotting five moves ahead, they can pull up a chair and jump in.
It is fun, it gets kids thinking, and it gives everyone a break from the screen for a couple of hours. Free and easy tends to win around here, and this one checks both boxes.
📍Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St., Lodi, CA 95240
🎨Art & Culture
Lodi Arts Meeting | Monday, April 27 | 6:30 pm
If you have ever had an opinion about what the arts look like in this town and kept it to yourself, here is your standing invitation to stop doing that. The Lodi Arts Foundation holds monthly community meetings open to anyone who wants to show up, and this is one of them. No membership required, no agenda you have to prepare for. Just people who care about art, culture, and what Lodi does with both, sitting in a room together and figuring out how to make things better.
These meetings are built around community participation, and the foundation genuinely believes that input from a wide range of people is what shapes arts and culture here. The foundation has real projects moving through Lodi right now, from the traffic box murals around town to salon concerts to the Art Hop, and the people in that room have a hand in what comes next.
Worth showing up even if you just want to listen for a while. That counts too.
📍 Hutchins Street Square — 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi, CA 95240
Oil Painting with Marilyn Eger, May Session 1 | Wednesday, May 6 | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Marilyn Eger is one of the more consistent presences in the Lodi art community, and if you have spent any time at the Community Art Center you have seen her work. She regularly teaches oil painting out of the center on Pine Street, and this May session is the first of two. The class is small on purpose, six to nine students, so you actually get coaching and not just a demonstration you watch from across the room.
The subject is your photo and your choice. You bring two prints of the same image, one in color and one in black and white, and Marilyn works with each student on composition, color theory, color mixing, and whatever else needs attention to get the painting where it needs to go. All experience levels are welcome, which in practice means beginners will not feel lost and people who have been painting for years will still find the session useful.
A few things to know before you sign up. You need to tone your canvas with a warm color ahead of time so it is dry before the first class. Your photo needs to match the size of your canvas. If you plan to use Marilyn's materials, add $25 to the class fee, and you still need to bring your own toned canvas. Payment is due in advance, and once you pay, text Marilyn at 209.327.8518 to confirm. Class minimum is six, so register early. Full supply list and registration details are here.
📍 Lodi Community Art Center — 110 W Pine St, Lodi, CA 95240
🎶 LIVE MUSIC | APRIL 2026
Thu - Apr 30
Payton Mahoney (Singer-Songwriter – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 1
Network (Rock/Variety – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
DWR Crew (Country / Line Dance – Country Dance Night) | 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Artist TBA (Acoustic/Variety – Sunset Sippin’) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 2
Chanticleer (Classical/Choral) | 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Hutchins Street Square - 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi
David Perez Band (Latin – Cinco De Vino) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Michael David Winery - 4580 W Hwy 12, Lodi
Rock’n Roleando (Rock/Latin – Cinco de Mayo) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 3
Blues Mechanics (Blues) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Dave Atencio (Acoustic/Rock – Sunday Music Live) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi
The Retrofitz (Classic Rock / 60s–80s Covers) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Wilson Family Winery - 11484 E Harney Lane, Lodi
Thu - May 7
William Smith Jr. (Acoustic/Soul – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 8
Playback (Rock / 80s–90s Covers – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Now Now (Indie Pop – Sunset Sippin’) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 9
Los Caminantes de Humberto Navarro (Regional Mexican) | 8:00 PM
📍 El Encanto Event Center - 100 N Cherokee Ln, Lodi
The Nick Elwood Band (Pop/Soul/Rock/Country) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 10
The Retrofitz – Mother’s Day Show (Classic Rock / Soulful Covers) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
She Calls Him Wilson (Indie/Folk – Sunday Music Live) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi
Geoffrey Miller & Rockin’ Rousers + Guests (Country/Rockabilly) | 7:00 PM
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Wed - May 13
Open Mic Night (Local Musicians / Mixed Genres)
📍 Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi
Thu - May 14
The Traveler / Jeff Carl (Singer-Songwriter – Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Donovan Bryant (R&B/Soul) | $5 cover
📍 Five Window Beer Co. - 9 W Locust St, Lodi
Fri - May 15
Neighborhood Noise (Rock/Variety – “After Hours”) | 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 16
Western Bound (Honky Tonk/Country) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Corduroy – The Ultimate Pearl Jam Experience (90s Grunge – Rock the Vineyard) | 6:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Sun - May 17
William Smith Jr. (Acoustic/Soul) | 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Sat - May 23
Kool Wind & Fire + Sweet Tina (Tribute – Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire & Tina Turner – Groovin’ in the Grove) | 7:00 PM
📍 Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi
Thu - May 28
Big Booty Bob (Thursday Night Music) | 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi
Fri - May 30
The Network Band (Rock/Variety)
📍 Five Window Beer Co. - 9 W Locust St, Lodi
Thanks for reading! It means more than you know that you take a few minutes out of your day to stay connected with our little corner of the world. See you around Lodi! 🍇
